After national search, SLO names new city manager — from right here on Central Coast

[Pelican Press 0]

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After national search, SLO names new city manager — from right here on Central Coast

San Luis Obispo has a new top administrator — and she’s a familiar face.

The city announced Friday

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it has hired interim city manager and former assistant city manager Whitney McDonald to fill the position permanently.

“During our very thorough recruitment process, it became clear that Whitney is the right person to lead and elevate our organization into the future,” Mayor Erica Stewart said in a news release. “She brings an impressive breadth of experience serving public sector agencies for the past 17 years and has a depth of knowledge in housing, land use, development and environmental issues.

“Her local expertise and action-oriented, problem-solving style will help us address the most important challenges facing our city as well as implement our ambitious

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.”

McDonald will replace former city manager Derek Johnson,

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According to the release, as city manager, McDonald will be responsible for a staff of more than 480 employees and a total budget of about $225 million. She will be in charge of hiring city staff, managing the budget, overseeing day-to-day operations and “carrying out the policy direction of the City Council.”

McDonald was selected from a pool of 59 qualified candidates from multiple states, according to the release.

“Whitney distinguished herself in that impressive pool and gained the unanimous support of the council to serve as the San Luis Obispo’s next city manager,” Stewart said. “We are excited to work with Whitney to continue engaging and serving our community well.”

McDonald joined the city in August 2023 as assistant city manager, overseeing the city’s Community Services Group and working to “ensure that the city delivered efficient and effective services and capital projects to the San Luis Obispo community,” the release said.

Prior to that, she served as community development director and then city manager in Arroyo Grande.

“I am truly honored to serve in this role as San Luis Obispo’s city manager and look forward to deepening partnerships with community members, businesses and regional partners,” McDonald said in the release. “We have a lot to do together, and I am eager to continue working with the community, the City Council and city staff to accomplish our strategic goals.”

According to the release, McDonald has already signed her conditional offer. The final employment contract with start date will be formally adopted at the City Council’s regular public meeting Aug. 20.

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